Hepatitis C virus (HCV) belongs to the family of the “positive-sense single-stranded RNA viruses” and is known to be the primary cause of Hepatitis C (Comas-Garcia, 2019, p. 253). The pathogen in question is deemed as highly dangerous since it is believed to cause several types of cancers apart from Hepatitis C (Marks & Naggie, 2019).
As the name suggests, the virus causes primarily Hepatitis C. The disease represents a condition that affects primarily a patient’s liver and causes its subsequent disease and failure (Comas-Garcia, 2019). Specifically, cirrhosis is a common outcome in patients with untreated Hepatitis C (Marks & Naggie, 2019). Often leading to liver cancer, Hepatitis C requires a complex treatment involving a combination of medications and surgery (Comas-Garcia, 2019).
As a rule, Hepatitis C virus is spread by sharing needles and similar medical tools (Comas-Garcia, 2019). Namely, the disease is typically spread through a direct contact with infected blood (Comas-Garcia, 2019). However, other ways of contracting the virus also exist, the key one being unprotected sex with an infected person (Comas-Garcia, 2019). Similarly, blood transfusions and organ transplants involving the participation of a person with HCV will lead to the further infection.
Unfortunately, determining the presence of Hepatitis C in a patient at an early stage is barely possible due to the gradual development of the disease and the lack of substantial symptoms at the first stage of its development (Marks & Naggie, 2019). Among key signs and symptoms of Hepatitis C, one should mention loss of appetite and increased fatigue, poor blood coagulation and easy development of bruises, and eye discoloration (Marks & Naggie, 2019).
Studies show that, as a rule, around 30% of people infected with hepatitis C are capable of clearing the virus with no treatment introduced (Jongen et al., 2020). However, for the rest of the population, the progression of the disease takes place diffe4rently. Specifically, in case of an acute Hepatitis C infection, the core symptoms start with the development of jaundice, fatigue and nausea, and muscle aches (Jongen et al., 2020). Further development of the disease involves cirrhosis and liver failure (Jongen et al., 2020).
After the necessary blood tests (particularly, the anti-HCV test), antiviral drugs must be administered to the patient immediately (Pokorska-Śpiewak et al., 2021). Furthermore, lifestyle changes, particularly, refusal to consume alcohol, is also required. Abstaining from alcohol is seen as an important prevention strategy against Hepatitis C.
References
Comas-Garcia, M. (2019). Packaging of genomic RNA in positive-sense single-stranded RNA viruses: a complex story. Viruses, 11(3), 253-275.
Marks, K., & Naggie, S. (2019). Management of hepatitis C in 2019. JAMA, 322(4), 355.
Jongen, V. W., van Rooijen, M. S., Schim Van Der Loeff, M. F., Newsum, A. M., de Vos Klootwijk, L., Hoornenborg, E., Hogewoning, A., van der Valk, M., van den Berk, G. E., Prins, M., & Heijman, T. (2020). Evaluation of the hepatitis C testing strategy for human immunodeficiency virus–positive men who have sex with men at the sexually transmitted infections outpatient clinic of Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Sexually Transmitted Diseases, 47(9), 587–595.
Pokorska-Śpiewak, M., Dobrzeniecka, A., Ołdakowska, A., & Marczyńska, M. (2021). Effective treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus infection with Ledipasvir/Sofosbuvir in 2 teenagers with HIV coinfection: A brief report. Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal, 40(12), 1087–1089.